Lorena Wiebes, the winningest lady of the 2022 season, has joined the ranks of high riders dabbling in cyclocross within the offseason, participating within the Jaarmarktcross Niel on Friday as a nice change of tempo.
The 23-year-old who will transfer from Group DSM to SD Worx in January received 22 races this 12 months together with a clear sweep of the RideLondon Classique three-day race and two phases of the Tour de France. She instructed Sporza that she wasn’t searching for high ends in cyclocross however was utilizing it for ” interval exercise”.
Loads of street racers have taken to cyclocross within the offseason all through historical past however lately it has change into extra modern after the profitable transitions from ‘cross to street by Wout van Aert, Mathieu van der Poel and Tom Pidcock. Even two-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar raced some cyclocross final 12 months.
“It is technical, but additionally explosive. You need to be a bit ‘punchy’. It is good to maintain up my method.”
Wiebes wasn’t a rank newbie on the race, nevertheless. “Cyclocross is not solely new to me. I raced cyclocross loads as a youth, that is the place it began for me. I solely raced on the street after that. And likewise final 12 months I participated within the cyclocross races in Kortrijk and Increase.”
Her efficiency in Niel wasn’t fairly as much as the dominance of the opposite Dutch cyclocross racers however Wiebes put in a decent trip in twenty second place, 6:23 behind winner Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado.
“I am already glad I wasn’t pulled from the race,” Wiebes joked. The final rider to outlive being lapped was two minutes additional behind. “Luckily, I used to be simply quick sufficient. I had enjoyable.”
Plan to see the black Group DSM jersey in some extra cyclocross races earlier than the season is over.
“I wish to trip just a few extra crosses this 12 months. Subsequent season I am driving with a brand new workforce and for the time being I am racing with my very own gear.”
Her schedule continues to be to be decided.
“It is nonetheless some looking. I might additionally prefer to trip subsequent week in Kortrijk. In any case, my new workforce would not thoughts me driving just a few crosses. This actually cannot damage with an eye fixed on the street.”